OT-Nindendo DS-Do I get it for them?

[alohamom]

I can't believe I am even considering this BUT my DH and I are thinking about getting our kids (7&9) these for travelling only (cars and airplanes). We are planning to go to Hawaii and the trip is brutal. The kids have done it before but I see their friends totally entranced by these little devices and we got to thinking maybe this would be good for the 10 plus hours of plane time. We usually bring our portable DVD but the battery life is only 4 hours so we read and play the other 6. I really didn't want to get them any of this kind of stuff , we don't own x-box or playstation. I have a hard time with my daughter as she really loves to sit and read or watch tv etc and would choose to do this over just about anything else so I try to keep her active and don't want her to have any temptation to be sendentary.My son is the opposite and I don't have to worry about him. Can any of you guys give me examples of your experiences with these hand helds and which you would suggest and why. Thanks alot everyone...

 

[jakoky]

Hi there, my younger two kids(13 and 11) both have a nintendo ds...they are pretty neat and they both love them...my oldest daughter is 15 and for her it is the computer...i am one of those parents that have no trouble with these kind of things, BUT, my kids are all active, my oldest is a cheerleader and works part time and gets good grades(2 A's and 2 B's), my son plays both soccer and hockey and also has good grades(6 A's, 1 B, and 1 C-in french), and my youngest daughter plays on a house soccer team and a rep soccer team(travelling) and her grades are also good(2 A's and 4 B's)...I have never stressed over letting my kids use these, we also have a PS 2...once in a while you will hear my say, maybe you should do something else...i think my kids are so active and busy, this lets them relax...if they came home with bad grades, i would then set limits...i think that used in moderation, they are great...I have seen kids that arent allowed tv come in to my house and they cant move away from it. or get ahold of one of my kids gaming systems, and they are in awe...my kids just walk away....if you are concerned about your daughter, i would definately set limits with her before she gets it...maybe telling her 1/2 hour a day or if she's been outside playing a lot or not feeling well, she could have it a little longer...some days my kids dont touch them, and some days they will intermittentaly play for an hour to and hour and half....anyways, for a 10 hour flight you will be so thankful for these games....
sharon
Have an awesome time on your trip, i am so jealous....

 

[drag n' fly]

My older son saved up his money for months and bought a ds lite. He did not like it so he sold his ds lite to his sister for 50 bucks. He then continued to save and on boxing day purchased on his own a psp. I do have to say the psp is much more user friendly and far superior graphics however it is very expensive. If you are limiting use to cars and airplanes a ds will be sufficient. We also have a xbox 360 and I can say the dh plays it the most lol. These kinds of electronics only rule the household if you allow them to.

 

[F4disneyfan]

If you are thining about getting the DS DO NOT get the DS lite get the full blown DS it is a much better machine yes a tad more money but no where near the PSP price. My 10 year old DD loves her DS it is nioce they can link up and play against each other with them.

 

[alohamom]

Thanks so far guys. I am not sure what a psp is, can you enlighten me? Also, any particular games you would suggest for our age range? (7&9) I saw the Ninendogs and that looked cute. Keep the thoughts coming-I love these boards!

 

[F4disneyfan]

The PS is the Sony handheld game system like the DS mind you it is also almost 300 bucks still if I remember correctly. My kids love all teh Mario games for the DS they are very entertaining.

 

[ferris198]

Actually, the DS Lite is the newest version, and it is more expensive then the DS.
They are currently going for about $150.00, with games averaging between $30.00-$40.00.
My DS 6, likes the Mario games, and he is having fun with the Nintendo dog, it's cute.
At christmas time Toys R Us had a discount rack of games and I was able to get Madagasgar for 9.98.

 

[drag n' fly]

If you are thining about getting the DS DO NOT get the DS lite get the full blown DS it is a much better machine yes a tad more money but no where near the PSP price. My 10 year old DD loves her DS it is nioce they can link up and play against each other with them.

This is incorrect information. The DS Lite is an improved and newer version of the DS. My ds12 got the psp (playstation portable) plus scuba glove on boxing day for 179 bucks. (you do not have to pay 300 bucks if you watch for sales)...and no I did not pay for it he saved his money and he paid for it himself.

 

[jakoky]

oops, i should have put in my post my kids have the ds lite...it is the newer one, smaller and brighter screens....my daughter has a nintendogs game and a mario and loves them both, my son has 2 mario, a tiger woods golf, and a fifa soccer and he loves them all...

 

[F4disneyfan]

This is incorrect information. The DS Lite is an improved and newer version of the DS. My ds12 got the psp (playstation portable) plus scuba glove on boxing day for 179 bucks. (you do not have to pay 300 bucks if you watch for sales)...and no I did not pay for it he saved his money and he paid for it himself.

We prefer the DS to the lite we have had both my 10 YO has teh DS and I got a lite and liked the DS better.

 

[belle1627]

Santa brought my ds(8) the DS lite for Christmas, and he loves it, all things in moderation. I have to say I love it too That Super Mario Bros. is addicting. I just bought Brain age for it and it is awesome, it has puzzles, sudoku, and training exercises for your brain. We all have our own file and try to improve our "brain age", its great. I know there are others like it so not all the play on the DS is mindless. I think for car rides and plane rides they are great......how did we ever manage car trips with just an 8 track

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

My 7yo just got a DS light for Christmas and it's great - much better then the SP he and my older ds' had before that.

I find with the hand held games that my kids don't play them all the time - they are active kids and would prefer to be outside or in my younger ds' case he prefers to play wiht his playmobil. BUT the DS is great for car rides and long trips. We'll definatly be taking them in August when we drive

The fav games here are any of the Mario games - we have super mario and Mario kart, he really likes the horsez game - he gets to train and look after his horse and do jumping and dressage and he just got animal crossing for his birthday and is enjoying that! Not all the games are mindless - there are some really good puzzle games too and if you have more then one ds they can play together.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

At christmas time Toys R Us had a discount rack of games and I was able to get Madagasgar for 9.98.

What?!?!

The cheapest we can find Madagascar over here is £17.99 (approx C$39.00).
You couldn't ship a few over could you? We'd make a killing on E-Bay

 

[ferris198]

We prefer the DS to the lite we have had both my 10 YO has teh DS and I got a lite and liked the DS better.

Nintendo has discontinued production of the original DS, that is why they came out with the DS Lite.
The DS Lite is a new and improved version.

 

[ferris198]

What?!?!

The cheapest we can find Madagascar over here is £17.99 (approx C$39.00).
You couldn't ship a few over could you? We'd make a killing on E-Bay

Geez, I should go and stock up as they had lots last time I was there.
I was also able to get the DS carrier bag for 10.00 regular 20.00. and a remote control to turn the PS2 into a DVD player for 4.99.
I felt like the lady in the IKEA commercial who starts yelling start the car, start the car !

 

[ottawamom]

I got a DS lite for me (and the kids) for Christmas. If you are worried about the kids getting carried away with it this is what I do. The machine is mine but the games belong to the kids(except for Brain age which is mine). I control (they have to ask permission) the use of the machine. This way they can enjoy the convenience of having a portable game system and I don't have to worry about them over using it. My youngest uses it a lot when he gets dragged to his older brothers hockey games. Brain age and brain academy are both "educational" type games so they are actually good for them. We also have Mario and Sudoku so far.

 

[madhttr]

First of all before I get flamed, I am not partial to one system or another. We have the Xbox 360, the PS3, and the Wii. We are a multi gamer family! lol. With that being said, The PSP is by far the best game system out there. I had the DS and sold that to get the PSP. I have not regretted my decision even though I paid $425 for it the day it came out. They now have them on sale for $199 at the stores. Also, I dont know if they have craigslist there but if you go to www.craigslist.com you can find them for very cheap! Keep in mind that most of the time they will be used but if you are not getting it for your kids for their birthday, then it really wont matter. Just make sure that they are in good condition.

The graphics for the PS3 are more high-definition. It has better gameplay and is alot nicer due to the capability to play movies and music on it. It can also store pictures! Disney along with Sony have both released movies for the PSP. It uses a disk called a UMD. It is a small disk covered in a plastic protector that slides right into the PSP. They are convienient and very fun!

Hope this helps!

 

[pkitty]

My dd is 13 and has a Nintendo Ds and a PSP. I really like the PSP...as a a matter of fact last night the power went out for 3 hours and we watched movies on it (the portable dvd player battery wasn't charged...figures). She plays with her handhelds in moderation...she's hardly obsessed, but it sure does make riding in the car alot more peaceful. She has her IPOD on and the hand held PSP....this means dh and I can actually converse occasionally without having Billy Talent ringing in our ears and words of advice fron the all knowing 13 year old in the back seat! Cost 300.00.....cost of piece and quiet....priceless! Not to mention when it's not my turn to drive...I use it to decompress. I've also taken it on business (plane, hotel room, subway) I find it helps me to relax!

 

[drag n' fly]

My dd is 13 and has a Nintendo Ds and a PSP. I really like the PSP...as a a matter of fact last night the power went out for 3 hours and we watched movies on it (the portable dvd player battery wasn't charged...figures). She plays with her handhelds in moderation...she's hardly obsessed, but it sure does make riding in the car alot more peaceful. She has her IPOD on and the hand held PSP....this means dh and I can actually converse occasionally without having Billy Talent ringing in our ears and words of advice fron the all knowing 13 year old in the back seat! Cost 300.00.....cost of piece and quiet....priceless! Not to mention when it's not my turn to drive...I use it to decompress. I've also taken it on business (plane, hotel room, subway) I find it helps me to relax!

Been there doing that...I feel your pain!